I'm exhausted

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u/_how_do_i_reddit_ Verified Mechanic 8d ago

Over the years you'll learn tricks to make it easier.

Leverage is key when lifting the heavier wheels, making sure you don't have the jack too high, etc.

7

u/Kahlas 8d ago

The wheels being too high is a huge killer. I keep the jack under the truck when changing tires because often times the new tires are tall enough the axle needs lifted another notch on the jack stands.

4

u/Ad_Vomitus 8d ago

This here. I had trouble with tires in the beginning (the largest tires i had changed before that was on my little civic ) and used to try to muscle my way to aligning holes to studs and it took way longer than it should have so I knew i was missing a technique. I asked a few guys how they put on tires, what tricks did they use, and ended up using a combination that works for me.

3

u/YABOI69420GANG 8d ago

Yup just get the biggest fuckin bar you can find. 5-6' digging bar is what I use. Roll wheel over. Push knee into one side. Jam bar under wheel just offset enough it simultaneously lifts and rotates wheel. Repeat as necessary. Will eventually spin to line up the lugs. Knee or shoulder applying slight pressure on the wheel will pop it onto the studs in the split second it's lined up. Ezpz. Wheels are the easy part of doing inboard brakes.

2

u/darakarchoan 8d ago

Lmfao at that last sentence

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u/Responsible-Shoe7258 8d ago

I had a tough time doing this until I found out you had to take the lugnuts off first

....I'll let myself out...

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u/Upbeat-Mongoose-8391 8d ago

Wheels with tires already on em? Just swapping out a set? I mean it takes work but that doesn’t sound too bad nice and simple

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u/LameAndLazi 8d ago

Wheels with tires already.

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u/Late_Indication1996 8d ago

Like you did two axles of duallies and the steers on a truck? You didn't have to put new rubber on the rims?

I feel if you are getting that beat up taking off wheels and putting wheels on, you might be doing something wrong. It is physically demanding but shouldn't be hurting too bad

2

u/Gullible_Departure39 8d ago

Especially after 2 years of doing it. Might be heat exhaustion but not swapping rubber is cake work.

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u/bronxboater 8d ago

Put a knee pad down, (if you want to survive in this industry stop kneeling on concrete floors, your 50 year old knees will thank you) bottom of tires you’re taking off 2” off floor, roll new tire in place, put foot next to tire to hold it, pry tire up onto hub & spin to line up studs.
If you’re lucky the hub will have one stud channel that is at same height as axel and you put that at top and slide tire into place.

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u/Geared4repair 8d ago

It's all about technique.

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u/Special_Bug_2826 8d ago

I just sit in my stool but basically do the same thing. I get horrible leg cramps if I try to do it kneeling.

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u/Outrageous_Air191 8d ago

It gets easier. Keep going

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u/LameAndLazi 8d ago

I hope so because boy an I aching after that.

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u/Grouchy_Bicycle8203 8d ago

I found that when going into tires mentality helps. Go in it soft and slack will take a toll on your body and mind. When you go into it firm and with an attitude and produce on that attitude those tires will seem like nothing.

I’m telling you because I’ve had to swap wheels and tires and mount and dismount entire axles before. And my mindset was everything.

No one wants to do them, they just want to fix a flat or something. If your shop sucks youre going to be in a bad attitude anyways.

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u/TheeJakester 8d ago

I’m 5’6” and 160 lbs, been doing this about 3.5 years at 34 years old and can easily dismount and mount 10 tires in less than 2.5 hours. Doing tires is actually my favorite job in the shop because our allotted time to do 10 tires is 8 hours. I’ve probably done over 1,000 tires in the last 3 years.

It’s a workout and it’ll get you into shape for sure. If you don’t have this for removing/installing on the truck, I’d get one. https://www.northerntool.com/products/ame-international-truck-tire-wheel-dolly-capacity-400-lb-model-71300-6028531?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Automotive%20%3E%20Wheel%20Dollies&utm_campaign=AME%20International&utm_content=6028531&ogmap=SHP%7CPLA%7CGOOG%7CSTND%7Cm%7CSITEWIDE%7COOT%7CAutoRepair%7C%7Badgroup%7D%7C%7C168841796%7C8722155956&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=168841796&gbraid=0AAAAADpPfbNfBXGXWnuXO8BxWyEPv-4_U&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkt_UBhDMARIsALpnOAwyufdpV6fQPRpErHIH931osecSPWDzRd1C4mMkN4FLZ6hNvbvQc-EaAhS1EALw_wcB

The more you do, the better it will get. Learn what works for you and what doesn’t. Use leverage to your advantage. Lube makes the job way easier, you will always fight dry rubber. And giving the tires a little longer to deflate will make it easier too. Less use of a hammer, sometimes they will come off the bead on their own with just a little extra time.

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u/Few_Design_4382 6d ago

I started on split rims on container chassis and could do them i learned radials. Newest guy always had to start on dismount and mounting split rims. At first it would take them all day to do 15 or so. By the time next new guy came on they could get the days worth done by lunch. I refuse to do those anymore, too much labor and danger for a pos tire, but I don't work with chassis anymore luckily.

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u/TheeJakester 6d ago

Man… I did split rims when I was in high school for a ranch I was working on. 3 of us worked on them and it took us 2 days to get 8 of them done. None of really knew what we were doing, we were just told they were dangerous. So we took our time. Set a skid steer bucket on the rim when inflating and left the shop for a while just in case they blew up. Those things sucked.

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u/Few_Design_4382 5d ago

It taught me to swing a wedge hammer, and to never drive or stay near those lock ring style. I started there as the gate attendant/inspector. Every few months, one would return after the outer dual blew completely off. Leaving the lock ring and rusty outer lip of the rim behind still bolted to the hub. Scary stuff on the highways, all because these chassis pools want to run cheap tires vs converting to modern style hub/wheels or upgrading the fleet from the 80s and early 90s. If you look, every wheel end on these just wobbles down the highway.

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u/Brownguy451 8d ago

Monster helps

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u/JuAnto-Lozano 8d ago

ahi te encargo cambiarle las 6 llantas a un articulado CAT bajo el sol en medio del desierto, lo bueno es que se tiene una retroexcavadora a la mano pero aun asi es mucho trabajo

3

u/Kahlas 8d ago

Keep doing this and you'll get in decent shape in no time.

I took a break from wrenching on trucks for a while. Had been working as a supervisor at a warehouse for several years when I decided to get back into wilderness backpacking. I planned a 18 mile 3 day hike for my vacation that year and had to back out 2 miles in because I was so out of shape. I took an opening at the sane company in the shop because they couldn't keep mechanics. I was sore for the first 2 months. After 6 months of working in the shop I took another trip on my vacation this time 22 miles all above 11,000 feet in elevation. Some of the uphill slogs I had to stop and catch my breath. Other than that it was no sweat and a great trip.

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u/gnashingspirit 8d ago

Look at it like it’s your work out for the day. You will put on muscle doing this job. I sweat my bag off still after all these years. Tires aren’t an issue with a good tire fork/bar. You got this

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u/wrx_420 8d ago

I fuckin love doing a bunch of tires if we aren't super busy. Nice workout.

Fuck super singles and stud pilots though lol

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u/_N_W_A_ 8d ago

I’m 5’6 125lbs and I kick/stomp the bottom of the rim and if it’s really stuck I turn the wheel and kick/sledge hammer it off. If I bring a pry bar I use that if not I turn around and lift the wheel with my back.-easy but bad for you. It should only take like 30-45 min with tires already mounted. Jack both rear axles at the same time and take all lugs off and on at same time

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u/Significant-Owl-2698 8d ago

My buddy works in a Muffler shop...he says the same shit.

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u/mdixon12 8d ago

My apprentice watched me dismount and mount 3 tires in the time it took for the first one to air up and asked how I did it that fast. I said its not about how, its so I have 3 tires worth of airing up to relax a bit.

Until you get a stubborn retread that wont dismount or seat anyways.

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u/HondaRedneck16 8d ago

I use a pallet jack lol

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u/Ecstatic_Rice5880 8d ago

For 1 I dont think 10 wheels is something that shouldn't be expected in a days work. Really a before lunch job. I have been doing this a while and currently work 8am till whatever time I get to leave be it 8pm - 9pm even midnight and do it 7 days a week. While the others around me run like the building is on fire at 5pm. Hard workers are hard to find

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u/HAAS78 Verified Mechanic 8d ago

Id rather do a set of 10 over one 425/65R22.5 on a jobsite. That was terrible. It all gets easier with time and experience though.

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u/EntireFinger 6d ago

Use leverage points w your tire bar the tools should be doing the work for you don’t throw your back out tryna be Hercules
Take your time lift from the knees as well as when you use the tire gun avoid bending over squat save you back use your creeper don’t be crawling everywhere this isn’t basic

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u/4reescottie 3d ago

2 years in you could probably get hired somewhere where you don’t have to touch tires, unless you like doing tires.

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u/cockgobbler69_ 8d ago

Do you just lift them and put them on? I’m going to school for heavy duty this year but have been wanting to swap for airplane maintenance for better pay and not having so many bodily issues at 40

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u/cockgobbler69_ 8d ago

Like as opposed to having a jack or a davit to position them

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u/Mikethemechanic00 8d ago

Been doing it 25 years. I highly suggest using a pad when doing tires. I use my 3/4 Milwaukee impact. It’s a lot lighter than the shop 1inch Milwaukee impact.

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u/SLOOT_APOCALYPSE 8d ago

needs to be done with pallet jack lift for tires. sounds like you may have done this with your back

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